A former racer who from 1984 to 1994 designed bikes for the U.S. division of Bridgestone Cycle, Petersen says it's too easy for adults to get so caught up in the marketing and imagery of high end cycling culture they forget how valuable bikes can be as a tool for transportation and fun.

He describes a typical consumer riding, or maybe ignoring, a bike that's been gathering dust in his or her garage. Something changes, maybe it's a doctor's order to exercise or a burst of inspiration from an advertisement or other social cue that prompts a renewed interest in riding.

Rather than stick with the old standby in the garage, the person heads to the local bike shop where the floor space is dominated by expensive, impractical performance bikes and the walls are covered in pro-style apparel and gear.

"That's when things go to hell," Petersen said. "Riding a bike changes from something that is good, fun recreational exercise to a workout."

Rather than fall into the cycle of spending to keep up with performance trends Petersen suggests getting back in touch with your inner child. That's the kid who jumped on whatever bike happened to be available and rode it for fun and basic, cheap transportation.

"A lot of times when adults reintroduce themselves to riding a bike they have memories of enjoying riding a bike," he said.

He said one reason people get distracted from just riding is because much of the bicycling industry is based on selling performance bikes and gear. Many bike shops fill their floors with high-end merchandise that's not practical for a typical bike ride and stash stuff that might be useful to the everyday person away in a corner.

A person needs to only try using a performance racing bike for daily errands to see how limiting it really is. The racing bike won't have anyplace to carry items, such as groceries or work supplies, it won't have fenders which makes it impractical for rainy weather and the tires will be so narrow the bike will be all but useless on dirt, gravel or even rough pavement.

"It doesn't make sense for them to ride an impractical bike," he said.

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Grant Petersen, owner of Rivendell Bicycle Works in Walnut Creek, Calif., and author of “Just Ride: A Radically Practical Guide to Riding Your Bike” will be at Sundance Books in Reno on Sept. 4.
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These days when Petersen isn't spreading the gospel of easy riding he's working the bike shop and building lugged-steel frame bikes designed for comfort and practicality. With his racing days long past, he says he uses his own bike for transportation and still manages to get a little exercise just by riding it where he needs, or wants, to go.

As for the weekend warrior style of cycling that doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon?

"My message is that is not necessary," Petersen said. "If it is your cup of tea that is fine, it was my cup of tea for 25 years. But if it is not there are legitimate reasons for mellowing out a bit."